Kelly Jensen, Book Riot Journalist Profile

Articles

2025 YA Microtrend: Wrestling With Queer Identity and Religion

2 weeks ago | bookriot.com | Kelly Jensen

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. One of the quips I see pop up every single week in response to book banning news is that we–meaning the folks who are actively working to ensure access to books remains unchanged–should be challenging the Bible based on the same criteria used to judge and ban other books.
New YA Book Releases This Week, April 9, 2025

2 weeks ago | bookriot.com | Kelly Jensen

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. If you’re looking for a week where you can start to catch up with your TBR because the new releases aren’t as plentiful, you’ve found one. That’s not to say there aren’t new books, but this isn’t going to be as busy as last week nor as busy as some upcoming weeks.
12+ Book Censorship Posts To Revisit: Book Censorship News, April 4, 2025

2 weeks ago | bookriot.com | Kelly Jensen

Having written this column since mid-2021, I sometimes forget what I’ve covered. In some ways, I haven’t written anything new in the world of book censorship because the tactics, goals, and outcomes have not changed much at all over the course of this significant era of censorship. The guide to 56 tasks you can take to end book censorship?
IMLS Board of Directors Demands Answers About Agency's Future

3 weeks ago | bookriot.com | Kelly Jensen

On Monday, March 31, 2025, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) gutted the only federal agency that supports the work of public libraries and museums nationwide, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). All staff were places on administrative leave, while their email addresses were closed and anyone waiting on funding or information from IMLS were told that it was likely simply not going to happen.
Celebrate Poetry With These 2025 YA Verse Novels

3 weeks ago | bookriot.com | Kelly Jensen

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Every year, April rolls around and it becomes time once again to celebrate all things poetry. Poetry doesn’t get enough love throughout the year, so this is an opportunity to really slow down and savor what can be done through the form.
The Bookish Life of Vivian Jenna Wilson

3 weeks ago | bookriot.com | Kelly Jensen

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. You may or may not immediately recognize the name Vivian Jenna Wilson. If you do, you’re likely already itching to get to the book recommendations portion of this piece. If you don’t, you’ll want a little backstory before you find yourself scrolling so fast you give yourself fingerburn.
Ohio's Republican Budget Proposal Destroys Library Funding, Restricts LGBTQ+ Books, Targets Library Trustee Terms

3 weeks ago | bookriot.com | Kelly Jensen

Earlier this year, word began to spread about potentially devastating funding cuts to Ohio public libraries. While there was not yet anything in writing to show this possibility and the governor’s budget included budget increases to public libraries, as of this week, the reality has set in.
New YA Book Releases This Week, April 2, 2025

3 weeks ago | bookriot.com | Kelly Jensen

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. We’ve officially entered the second quarter of 2025. How has your reading been going so far this year? For me, it’s been a solid one. I have read almost every night before bed–something I haven’t done in a long time–which means I’ve also read way more books this year so far than in many recent years.
9 New LGBTQ+ YA Books For Your TBR

3 weeks ago | bookriot.com | Kelly Jensen

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. It’s kind of hard to imagine, but only 10 years ago, being able to go through lists of new books and pull out more than a couple of books by or about LGBTQ+ characters was not easy. There were some big titles, of course, and there were a number of smaller presses who published excellent queer reads.
The Institute for Museum and Library Services Was Just Gutted

3 weeks ago | bookriot.com | Kelly Jensen

Today, members of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) gutted the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). As of this afternoon, all staff members have been placed on administrative leave. They received a letter from the Director of Human Resources that the leave would be paid for 90 days and that no one will be allowed on IMLS property during that time.